Society is doing a better job of addressing mental health and the issues it imposes on everyday life. What was once taboo or a surefire ticket to social isolation has become a source of strength and empowerment towards better days. Despite these milestones, many people still struggle with mental illness and fear or don’t know where to get help. Ultimately, they suffer in silence and watch as their declining emotional health wreaks havoc on their lives.
If you’re among the people who tend to keep your mental health problems to yourself, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Although the journey won’t be easy and your issues won’t resolve overnight, you can learn how to regain control and reclaim your life. Continue reading for suggestions.
1. Say It Out Loud
The first step in controlling your mental health is to admit that there is a problem. Pushing it to the back of your mind or tirelessly trying to prevent others from knowing your troubles means living a life controlled by your emotional well-being. It’s time to say it out loud.
While celebrities and public figures are becoming advocates for mental health, no one expects you to make a social media post, call everyone you know, or shout it from the rooftops. However, you must reach a point where you can say, “I’m not mentally well,” and own that fact.
2. Learn Your Triggers
Now that you’ve admitted you struggle with emotional turmoil or mental illness, it’s time to identify your triggers. What causes you to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed? Does it stem from your upbringing, a traumatic experience, unhealthy relationships, societal pressures, or the ongoing struggles of everyday life?
Perhaps it’s none of the above, and your mental illness stems from biological or genetic issues. Whatever the case is, learning your triggers or the source of your emotional strain can help you develop a strategy to regain control of your life.
3. Evaluate And Break Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
When you feel triggered, what do you turn to for relief? While it’s good to have strategies to get you through difficult times, relying on unhealthy sources lessens your quality of life. Whether you overeat, skip meals, take pills, drink alcohol, use illicit drugs, or engage in risky and promiscuous activities, you must break the cycle.
The most effective way to break bad habits is to replace them with healthy coping mechanisms. You can meditate, read a book, journal, call a loved one, watch something funny or entertaining, exercise, eat a well-balanced meal, learn a new skill, do something fun, or submerge yourself in your religious beliefs. As you learn to use these healthier practices during periods when you’re mentally overwhelmed, you’ll find it easier to move past negative emotions and enjoy life.
4. Get Help
Overcoming mental health and mental illness problems is challenging. Depending on how severe your circumstances and conditions are, typical solutions don’t work as efficiently. If this is your situation, find comfort in knowing it’s okay. All that means is that you need assistance to get where you want to be.
The good news is that plenty of sources are available to get you back on track. Both online and in-person support groups are a great place to start. These are groups of people who suffer from the same issues you have. Their knowledge and experience can be instrumental in helping you to dig deep, evaluate your life, and make the necessary adjustments.
Another option is counseling. Therapists are trained to help patients identify problems and learn positive ways to cope. They can also diagnose mental illness and prescribe medications to ease symptoms.
Some people need more than therapy to deal with their mental illness. For example, if you have co-occurring anxiety and addiction, you may need to work with a rehab facility to address both issues simultaneously. Such programs provide access to medications and detox solutions to kick your habit and therapeutic processes to help you manage your anxiety.
It would be nice to live in a world with no issues and common medical conditions don’t exist, but that’s not reality. Everyone goes through trying times, and many people suffer from mental turmoil or illness. If your emotional well-being is declining or you feel like your mental illness controls your life, there are ways to improve. The solutions listed above can help you reclaim your life and move on to better days.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
